Adjustable splint



Oct. 21, 1941. H M DQYLE ADJUSTABLE SPLINT Filed March l2, 1941 V"""""` Il Il VIII Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT f FFICE ADJUSTABLE sPLINr HarryM. Doyle, saltLake Cayman Application March 12, 1941, Serial No.' 383,034 2 Claims. (ol. 12eismY This invention relates toan adjustable splint. vThe invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a splint capable of being expeditiously positioned relative to a fractured limb and so formed to remove the weight of the l body from off of the fracture when the wearer is walking-or standing.

`The invention furthervaims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a splint capable ofbeing used in connection with a fractured arm or leg.

'Ihe invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a splint capable of being lengthwise adjusted to enable for its use in connection-With legs of different lengths.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lengthwise adfjustable splint with means for releasably securing it in its adjusted position.

The invention further aims to provide, in a rmanner as hereinafter set forth, a splint which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, compact, readily installed with respect to a fractured limb or arm,l thoroughlyeflicient in its use, conveniently "adjusted and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will vbe more specically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is tobe understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

-In the drawing: i

Figure y1 is a. front elevation, partly in lengthwise section of a splint in accordance with this invention, i

, Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 Figure 2, Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 Figure 2, .Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in front velevation and lengthwise section, and

Figure 6 is a section'on line 6 6 Figure 1.

The'splint includes outer and inner lengthwise adjustable side elements I, 2 respectively, a combined tread and coupling member 3, a coupling element 4 and a securing means 5.

The side elements I, 2 are of like form, but the vouter element I is of greater length than the element 2. The description of the side element I will apply to the side element 2. The side ele ,ment I comprises an upper and a lower tubular member Ii, 'I respectively of the desired length and diameter and preferably formed from brass tubing, but it is to be understood that the members 6, 'I may be of any suitable metallic material. The member 'I is disposed in telescopic relation with respect to the member 6. The said members are open attheir ends. The lower teryminal portion 8`of the member is formed with metrically disposed opening I4. The members 6,

I are disposed in slidable relation for the purpose of lengthwise adjusting a side element and there is correlated with the member 6 a clamping structure for releasably retaining the members 6,

A'I in adjusted' relation.

The clamping structure includes a metallic sleeve I5 having a portion of its inner face formed with tapered threads I6 for coaction with thethreads 9. The threads I4 are inversely tapered vwith respect to the threads 9. The inner face ofthe sleeve I5 below the threads I6 is formed with an annular groove I'I, the lower wall I8 of which forms a seat for a split leather washer I9,fwhich is spaced from the upper wall 20 ofgroove I'I. The washer I9 surrounds the member 1. Seated'on the washer I9 are the flanged lower endsZI of a pair of oppositely disposed semi-cylindrical vmetallic clamp members 22,'which'bearv against the lower end of the member 6 and also'are to bind against the member 'I.

It'will be vassumed that the sleeve I5 is in inactive position,` that is to say disconnected from the member` 6r and if it is desired to increase or decreasethe` length of a side element, member r6 is shifted klengthwise of member 1 or the latter shifted lengthwise of member 6. After the Adesired adjustment has been made, the sleeve I5, is moved to engage the threads 9 whereby the split terminal portion 8 of member 6 is held in clamping engagement with the member 'I and the members VV2l also clamped against said member 'I.v This arrangement releasably clamps the members 6, 1 together and in this connection attention is directed to Figure 2.

The member 6 of element 2 is of less length than the member of element I. The plug I3 yof element 2 is of less length than the plug I3 of element I. vThe member 'I of element I corresponds in length to vthe length of member 'l of element 2. This arrangement provides for element I tobe of greater length than element 2.

,When the splint is used the upper end of element casing 32.

compound curvature to provide a pair of depending treadportions 2B separated by a rise 21 against which the foot of the wearer is to seat when the splint is worn. The arms 23, 24 are oppositely outwardly inclined.v The arm 23extends up rinto the lower end of element I and is secured to the latter by the holdfast means 28.

The arm 24 extends upinto the lower end of element 2 and is secured thereto by the holdfast means 29.

The coupling element 4 is adaptedl .to partly.

encompass the upper portion of thelimb, it is I, 2 whereby these latter are coupled together.

The outer side of element 4 is of .less length than its inner side whereby the upper end of element I will be arranged above rthe upper end of element 2, and inithis connection attention is directed to Figure 1. Y

The element 4 includes asteel strap 30 su stantially of semi-ovoidal contour in cross section for the major portion of its length, a felt coverv through the openings I4 in said plugs are oppo- -sitely disposed combined coupling and pivot bolts 39, 40, which are of a length to project inwardly from theplugs. Mounted on the bolts 39, 40 arey spacing washers 4I,42 respectively. The bolt '39 extends through they opening 31 in thestrap `portion 33 and hasits'innerv end upset to;r couple it to the element 4.`l The washer 4I is interposed between strap portion. 33 and element I. The bolt 40 extendsthrough the opening 31'in strap portion 34 and has its inner end upset tocouple it to the element 4.1"The washer 4I is interposed between strapportion 34 .and element 2.l The arrangement ofthe bolts y39, 40 relative to the plugs and .the strap portions 33, 34 pivotally connect the couplingfelement4 at 'its ends with the The widthof the coupling element 4 'is greater than the width of the member.v 3, whereby ther side elements I, 2 are disposed yat opposite inclinations from'their 'upper to their lower ends when member 3 'and element 4''are secured to elements I, 2 and in 'thisyconnection attention is directed to Figure 1. v y

The securing means which .is connected to the element 4 and mounted on bolts 39, 40 vconrsists fof a pair of oppositely disposed ilexible strap sections 42a, 43. The sections 42a, 43 are mounted on bolts 3 9, 40 andv each is formed with an opening 44. The openings 44'. are to align with the openings 38 of the element 4 and rivets 4 5 are mounted rin the alignedjopenings 38, 44 for xing the strap sections 42a, 43 to element 4.

'Il'ie'strap section 42a isprovided lwith a buckle M46.- The strap section, l43 correlates with rthe buck-le 45 for securing the strap sections 42a, 43

`together about therfro'nt lofthe-limb ofthe wearer,

upper ends of the'fside' elements whereby the element 4 is held at the back and sides of the limb of the wearer.

The parts of the splint other than the leather casing, the felt covering, the split washer and the securing4 means 5 will be formed of' metallic material.

The coupling member 4' is substantially rigid,

. cushioned and of arcuate contour.

-of curved form and pivotally connected' to the inner sides of the upper ends of the elements What I `claim is:

1. In a splint, a pair of spaced opposed lengthwise, adjustable side elements having upper and lower ends, means for connecting the lower ends of said elements together in spaced relation, a coupling element having reduced end terminal portions disposed in juxtaposition to the upper l parts of the inner sides of said side' elements,

oppositely ,disposed .means extending inwardly from said .side velements for pivotallyv connecting saidy terminal portions intermediate ytheir ends to said elements in proximity to the upper ends of the latter whereby the upper portionsof the side elements will be connected together in spaced relation, spacers mounted on said second means for spacing said terminal portions from said side elements, and an'adjustable securing means for attaching said coupling element to a leg of the user, secured to the outersidesfof said terminal portions and throughwhich `extends said second means- 1` Y.

2. In a splint, ay pair lof opposed spaced side elements each formed of an upper anda lower l member disposed in telescopic adjustablerelation, a coupling element having reduced vend terminal portions arranged between andr in juxtafvposition to the upper portions of the inner sides of said upper members, oppositely disposed means extending inwardly from the upper members in proximity to the upper ends of the latter andattached to said-terminal portions for pivotally supporting said couplingelement whereby the latter will couple saidrupper members-together,l each upper member having its lower terminalfportion provided respectively with spaced .slits lengthwise thereof opening'at the lower end vof] the member and with taperedthreads throughout its -outer periphery',1a slidable adjustable clampingsleeve disposed about the-membersY of a sidevelement f for clampingan upperfmember, to a lower member, said sleeve being; formed' on its-inner face, intermediate itsV ends with an annular groove having an upper and a lower wall and, above said upper wall with internal tapered threads Vreopposing'the said .internal threads and' .abutting the lower endy of. an upper member, each. pair of clamps providing .for 'clamping the sleeve to a .lower member when the vsleeve 'is shifted to clamp .an upper and lower Vmember `together in' adjusted relation and.forY supportingfthe upper member, and meanswfor coupling the lower ends of the '.loweriinembers together in spaced relation.`

' HARRY M. yDorm. 

